NBA

DALLAS (AP) Rick Carlisle now figures to be coach of the Mavericks long after Dirk Nowitzki retires.The franchise leader in victories and architect of Dallas' only championship has what amounts to a seven-year contract after he signed a five-year, $35 million extension that won't kick in until after...

AP Basketball WriterHarden's 12th triple-double helps Rockets end 2-game skidBy BRIAN MAHONEYNEW YORK (AP) Even an offense as potent as Houston's can go cold during the long NBA winter.''It happens,'' James Harden said. ''But as long as we stay at an even level, we just continue to get...

HONOLULU (AP) Kobe Bryant returned Tuesday morning to where it all began for him.The 20th season for the Los Angeles Lakers' star got under way with his team's first training camp practice at the same place his illustrious career started.Bryant and the Lakers held a three-hour workout at...

Knicks favorite Charles Oakley arraigned on assault chargeNEW YORK (AP) New York Knicks favorite Charles Oakley made his first court appearance on Tuesday since his arrest and ejection while attending at game at Madison Square Garden.Oakley, 53, was arraigned in criminal court in Manhattan on misdemeanor assault and...

New Orleans and Milwaukee were facing long odds before the postseason even began, and now the task of advancing in the NBA playoffs seems considerably more daunting. That's not to say there's no hope. The Pelicans and Bucks will try to even their respective first-round series on Monday night, with eighth-seeded...

ATLANTA (AP) - An independent investigation has found former Atlanta Hawks general manager Danny Ferry was not motivated by racial bias in making statements which ultimately ended his time with the team.A letter summarizing the investigation by the Atlanta law firm Alston & Bird was obtained Saturday by The...

CLEVELAND (AP) - Cavaliers All-Star guard Kyrie Irving will play against Boston after missing two games with a strained left shoulder.Irving participated in the team's shoot-around Tuesday and coach David Blatt announced he would play about 90 minutes before the game.Irving injured his shoulder in the second half of...

Former Baylor guard Jackson rejoins Mavs on 10-day contractDALLAS (AP) Former Baylor guard Pierre Jackson is returning for a second stint in Dallas after signing a 10-day contract with the Mavericks.Jackson was originally signed from the team's NBA Development League team on Dec. 27. He was waived less...

UTAH (97)Hayward 8-20 2-3 22, Favors 6-16 3-9 15, Kanter 8-17 0-0 16, Burke 4-10 1-2 11, Hood 2-6 4-5 9, Gobert 5-7 1-1 11, Exum 3-6 0-0 7, Ingles 1-4 0-0 2, Booker 0-4 2-2 2, Christopher 1-2 0-0 2, Novak 0-0 0-0 0. Totals...

MIAMI (AP) - For the first time since Jan. 25, 2010, LeBron James returns to Miami as an opponent on Christmas Day when the Cleveland Cavaliers visit the Heat. Here's a look at perhaps the 10 most memorable moments of his times at AmericanAirlines Arena while donning the Heat...

DENVER (AP) Restricted free agent center Mason Plumlee has agreed to return to the Denver Nuggets on a three-year, $41 million deal. His agent, Mark Bartelstein, confirmed the deal Monday to The Associated Press. Plumlee averaged 9.1 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists after being acquired in a February deal that...

AP Sports WriterAP Source: Warriors G Stephen Curry wins 2nd straight MVPBy JOSH DUBOWOAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Stephen Curry is adding a second straight MVP award to his record-setting season.A person with knowledge of the award says Curry will be announced as the winner perhaps as soon as Tuesday....